Live longer: work for a bank

But that raises more questions. Like are some jobs more likely to kill you than others? And what jobs are more likely to give you a longer life?

The answer: if you work for a bank, insurance company, stock broker or venture capitalists, you better start topping up your super.

A new study, published in the Sunday Times, has found that male financial services employees are the ones who live the longest. Based on mortality assumptions that British companies are using to work out payments for their final salary pension schemes, they will live to 86. Defence and aerospace employees will live almost just as long. At the bottom of the scale are tobacco workers.

The life expectancy list for females was not published. But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics a boy born in 2002-04 can expect to live on average to 78.1 years of age, while a girl can expect to reach 83. So maybe it's just a case of adding five years for women.

Frankly, I would question these sorts of figures. Certain workplaces, even within the same sector, are more stressful than others. The same applies to positions. And changes in diet and lifestyle would throw these figures out.

So is it really less stressful working for a bank? Let's hear from financial services employees and bosses. Are some jobs more likely to send you to an early grave?

Posted by Leon GettlerFebruary 12, 2007 9:42 AM

LATEST COMMENTS

I'll tell you this: Working in customer service is likely to drive you to suicide. Does that count?

Posted by: Stace on February 12, 2007 11:28 AM

I work in a call centre on out bound sales campaign and it's extremely monotonous, frustrating and stressful at times. If you can work in this environment I reckon you can be ready for pregnancy.

I must say, although i dont particularly like my job, it has given me a steady outlook on my career options, financial freedom and settled my spirit alot. I don't go out as much, so i invest my money else where and my health hasn't been better.

So although being in the same office doing this monotonous sales gig, it has it's benefits!!!

Posted by: amanda on February 12, 2007 12:39 PM

Hi Stace, before reading your comment, I was going to mention the customer service industry.

I'm a customer service manager, and whilst many people would say dealing with people & their problems, winging, whining etc all day long will drive you bonkers, those who have done it for a while, and are good at it, are actually people who naturally don't get dragged down by it all.

An industry of optimists i guess you could say!

Posted by: Matty Mc on February 12, 2007 12:44 PM

Customer Service. All that stress from having to smile, being polite and courteous whilst the customer verbally abuses you (coming from an ex-maccas employee who would not take that crap).

What about an intimidating and abusive (verbal) boss? Would that send someone to the grave faster?

Posted by: Andrew on February 12, 2007 2:01 PM

I work for a bank and have been in the finance industry for 17 years.

Working in a bank provides you with many different career choices and you can move departments and do completely different things.

For example, I work in Compliance but you can work in marketing, insurance, accounting, legal, IT - any number of areas. To me that is the beauty of working in a bank.

The downside is the stress, hours of work, pay rates etc, etc. But that is no different to anyone else in any other industry (except if you work for Google).

In summary, I think bank staff are lucky because we have such a variety of work to chose from - maybe that's why we are going to live longer...

Better go away and ask my boss for an increase in salary to contribute to the Super coffers!!

Posted by: Poppet on February 12, 2007 2:21 PM

Try the Public Service - it's the Land of the Living Dead.

In fact, my idea of Hell is being condemned to this job for eternity!

Posted by: Reno on February 12, 2007 2:43 PM

I'm with Poppet, but only 10 years and change so far. I've worked in securities preparation (mortgages, contracts and the like), call centres, acquiring, business banking, corporate debt collection, implemented major projects; and by and large, there is much pressure, but the local support network is exceptional and the ability for mobility within the group means if it gets too hot in one kitchen you can try another. So on those occassions I just hated getting up in the morning, a frank discussion with the boss has lead to other opportunities. So with such varied work, new problems to solve every day, and a bevy of great people to share a beer with after work on a Friday the outcome of this study doesn't really surprise me, but the guys here high fived when we read it anyway.

Posted by: Like a Tiger on February 12, 2007 2:49 PM

Try teaching abusive bogans! Nothing is as bad as that. Then wait till you meet their parents!

Believe me - teaching is not what it used to be and is not all holidays!

Posted by: Greg on February 12, 2007 3:03 PM

I worked in the customer service/sales for a number of years when still at uni and the only thing I got was an ulcer.

I think dealing with people (or more like general public) tends to be more demanding than working with numbers on a daily basis.

I now work in the finance industry having completed my studies and whilst I can't say its easy, its definitely more tolerable.

The work hours can be long sometimes, but apart from that I find I enjoy my work. Every day is different and provides a challenge.

Its also good if a company looks after their employees - for example, at my work now, there are free yoga and tai chi classes offered to those interested, we also have regular team events and sports teams you can join like cricket or basketball.

Posted by: Dam on February 12, 2007 3:08 PM

Perhaps the best way of living a long, happy life is finding a job that you love. Sadly for most people such situations are difficult to find. I believe that when you can find a job that you love then it wont feel like work.

Posted by: Ryan on February 12, 2007 3:16 PM

I think the key is to have a good (& fair) boss and easy going co-workers. They make even the worst of jobs easy to do. Sometimes I think my job is hard at times, but everyone tells me I smile all the time - I guess I am doing something right.

Posted by: fromoverseas on February 12, 2007 8:31 PM

Every job where you sacrifice the precious hours, days and years of your life for a bare living wage and meaningless toil is intolerable. Add to that bullying bosses, frustrating bureacracies and idiotic red tape of most workplaces today and I'm glad to be out of it. Save your pennies, invest wisely and save yourself a life sentence like I did!

Posted by: Jim on February 13, 2007 1:26 AM

I always believe in a notion saying that life's not what's happening to you but what's happening in you. Regardless of the kind of working environment we have it's how we handle it that matters.

Posted by: Fredy Namdin on February 13, 2007 2:46 PM

The only reason why public servants would live so much longer is because they really don't do any work in their maximum 7.21 hour day and if they have to lift a finger to do anything, they're applying for stress leave. They hire contractors to do the work - thats how things get done in the public service.